Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope accused of 'sexist behaviour' for blocking women's conference motion

Fresh controversy for MP who was widely criticised for attempting to block upskirting bill

Sir Christopher Chope speaking in the House of Commons (PA)

A Tory MP who was widely criticised for trying to block a bill to ban “upskirting“ has been embroiled in a new controversy for opposing a bid for a women’s conference to be held in parliament.

Sir Christopher Chope was accused of “sexist behaviour” when he shouted “object” to a motion to permit the Women MPs of the World Conference to use of the Commons chamber in November.

The Christchurch MP faced cries of “shame” from other politicians for blocking the motion, in honour of the centenary of some women being granted the right to vote.

Penny Mordaunt, women and equalities minister, left her seat and had a word with Sir Christopher on the Tory backbenches shortly after the motion.

He has now tabled an amendment to the motion with a tweak to the wording, which would allow it to go ahead if approved by MPs today.

It comes after Sir Christopher provoked waves of outrage for thwarting a bill to criminalise the practice of taking surreptitious photos under women’s skirts, due to his long-standing opposition to an aspect of parliamentary procedure.

Ministers intervened to curb the outcry by announcing plans for a government bill to tackle upskirting, for which Theresa May has shown her personal support.

Shadow and equalities minister Dawn Butler said: “Just weeks after he blocked upskirting from becoming a criminal offence, Christopher Chope’s decision to object to women parliamentarians from around the world coming to parliament proves once again that the Conservatives are no friend of equality.

“In the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, the Women MPs of the World Conference is an opportunity to celebrate women’s suffrage and renew our commitment to fighting for equality and social justice.

“If Theresa May is the feminist that she claims to be then she needs to call out this sexist behaviour in her own party.”

SNP MP Alison Thewliss said: “Women have been underrepresented in politics for far too long, and the Women MPs in the World conference is the perfect opportunity to discuss what we can all do to remove the remaining barriers to women’s participation in politics.

“Christopher Chope’s petty opposition to using the Commons chamber for this conference is utterly ridiculous – he needs to explain why he has such a problem with women’s voices being heard.”

Sir Christopher has been contacted for comment.

It comes after he hit back at criticism of his antics over the upskirting bill, saying he actually supports a ban and dismissed claims he was “a pervert”.

He told the Bournemouth Echo: “I feel a bit sore about being scapegoated over this. The suggestion that I am some kind of pervert is a complete travesty of the truth.

“It’s defamatory of my character and it’s very depressing some of my colleagues have been perpetuating that in the past 48 hours.”

He said the government had been “hijacking time that is rightfully that of backbenchers” and he was fighting to protect the rights of parliament.

Sir Christopher added: “The government cannot just bring in what it wants on the nod. We don’t quite live in the Putin era yet.”